Director, Pew-Bertarelli Ocean Legacy

The Environmental Portfolio at The Pew Charitable Trusts

For more than 25 years, Pew has been a major force in engaging the public and policy makers about the causes, consequences, and solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. In the sea, reforms to how our oceans are managed are essential to address overfishing, pollution, and loss of habitat. Pew’s ocean conservation program plays a significant role in reforming marine fisheries management and creating marine reserves around the world.

Our work is grounded in the best available science and pursues domestic and international conservation measures that are long-term and provide permanent, durable protections for marine ecosystems.

Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy

Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy (PBOL) is a partnership with Dona Bertarelli working to establish world-class regional marine conservation networks in the Southern Ocean, Eastern Tropical Pacific, and the Mediterranean including a series of highly protected marine protected areas (MPA), interconnected by biological corridors, and underpinned by strong regional governance. PBOL builds momentum to establish protected area networks across large ocean areas, which interconnect beyond national borders.

Working with local and international partners, PBOL seeks to ensure effective management of marine life and habitats both within and outside of MPA boundaries (including enforcement and monitoring within MPAs, and effective fisheries conservation outside), and set a foundation for the long-term durability of the Southern Ocean, Eastern Tropical Pacific, and Mediterranean networks.

Position Overview

The Director, Pew-Bertarelli Ocean Legacy position oversees a multifaceted portfolio working on large scale marine conservation projects in countries ranging from Panama to France, as well as in the international treaty agreement to conserve the Southern Ocean. This position reports to the Senior Director, Marine Habitat Protection and manages a team of experienced senior staff in the US and Europe, as well as relationships with consultants and partner organizations in-country. 

The director works closely with PBOL’s executive committee on decision-making for key issues, including project direction, strategy, budget, and partnerships. The executive committee, composed of representatives from each of the two funding partners, meets monthly to review program priorities and budget decisions, make adjustments, and engage on relevant emerging opportunities.

Responsibilities

Leadership and strategy setting:

• Manage a multi-million dollar budget and projects in regions around the world.
• Lead development and implementation of targeted, effective, and measurable strategies that seek to secure policy reform and other necessary actions at a national and regional level.
• Manage day-to-day operations and activities and collaborate closely with the executive committee, project leadership and partner institutions to assess progress, refine strategies, and achieve critical milestones.
• Provide thoughtful and inclusive leadership to diverse staff spread over multiple countries and time zones, including setting measurable goals and targets, establishing work plans and milestones, conducting performance evaluations, monitoring individual and team achievements, creating professional opportunities for staff, and ensuring staff follow Pew policies and procedures.
• Ensure the projects and campaigns have the necessary capacity and support and risk mitigation to achieve objectives.
• Develop ongoing mechanisms to analyze policy opportunities and regulatory and scientific developments that have relevance for overall project efforts.

Relationships:

• Engage with partners and high-net-worth donors through strong, trusted relationships, coalitions, partnerships, co-investments, and funder collaboratives that align with PBOL objectives.
• Establish and maintain relationships with senior policymakers including ministers, heads of organizations, and other officials. Liaise with conservation groups, expert bodies, and other constituencies to advance campaign objectives.
• Leverage meaningful working relationships across Pew and partner organizations.
• Support fundraising and partner development efforts by contributing to funding proposals, cultivating donor relationships, and providing informative progress reporting.
• Manage executive committee and facilitate monthly meetings with the principal partners and campaign leaders.

Internal processes:

• Oversee project budgets, expense reports, funding proposals and reports, staff promotion and award nominations, news releases, media statements, publications and other work generated by staff.
• Review project contracts and approve external payments.
• Participate in activities of the environment portfolio assigned.

Qualifications

Skills:

• Excellent strategic and program management skills, with a proven ability to analyze complex programs and then lead, develop, execute, and evaluate a range of diverse strategies to achieve goals.
• Persuasive and influential at gaining financial support and commitment for Pew projects.
• Strong operational management acumen. Able to analyze budgetary information, assess organizational needs and problem solve within a large institution.
• Exceptional oral and written communications skills. Able to synthesize material and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue and the means to address it. 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with seasoned judgment and analytical capacity, diplomacy, collaborative spirit, and ability to make decisions. Responsive, clear, and firm with colleagues and partners.
• Dexterity to productively navigate a complex, global partnership with a diverse set of influential stakeholders whose objectives often differ and occasionally compete.
• Media-savvy and politically astute. Able to use marketing techniques and media exposure to communicate the impact of research on conservation needs.
• An understanding of national and multilateral regulatory and legislative processes, and strong political, strategic, and analytical skills.
• Fluency in English essential and fluency in French or Spanish desirable.

Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• At least 12 years of applicable experience.
• Five years of previous direct supervisory experience, including leading the performance management process for direct reports, providing career development advice and counsel.
• Inclusively managing staff and teams across dispersed geographies, and fostering productive relationships with consultants, partners, and other stakeholders to achieve project objectives. 
• Success working directly with Indigenous and local communities, and local and national governments in relevant regions.

Position Details

The position is based in Washington, D.C. and is eligible for up to 60% telework from home, however other locations and/or remote work in the U.S. or outside of the U.S. may be considered. Extensive international travel (up to 40%) for this position is anticipated. Pew offers a competitive salary and benefit program.

The program is in the first year of the currently approved five-year strategy. The position has a set time frame that could be extended based on the success of the program, funding sources, and board decisions on continued support.

To Apply 

To be considered for this position, interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter through CEA Consulting’s job portal. This position will remain posted until filled. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply before May 20, 2022.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.